Congratulations, Condolences, and Keep Moving

The 2018 election was by far the most important midterm election we’ve ever seen, and it came with many victories for the Democratic Party. While at the national level the obvious victories for Democrats were taking back the US House and winning 7 Governorships and over 330 state legislative seats nationwide, the most amazing thing was to see how Gwinnett switched from Red to Blue skipping over “Purple” completely in this election.

First, I would like to congratulate all the Democratic candidates who ran, including Ben Ku and Marlene Fosque, who became the first Democrats elected to the Gwinnett County Commission since 1988, Everton Blair, Jr., the second Democrat on the Gwinnett County School Board, State Senators-Elect Sally Harrell and Zahra Karinshak, as well as newly elected State House members Sally Hutchinson, Jasmine Clark, Beth Moore, and Greg Kennard. Even our candidates that did not win this election cycle made huge progress turning their districts bluer than they’ve ever been. Thank you to Wandy Taylor, Aisha Yaqoob, Andrea Polk Stephenson, Cheryle Moses, and Carolyn Bordeaux, who came within 419 votes of defeating a 4-term GOP congressman and is going to a recount. I know they all have bright futures in Gwinnett politics. Even though Stacy Abrams has stopped her campaign, I know she will be back in 2020 and we all need to be there to help her across the finish line when she makes that decision. I ran twice before winning my first race. All those who ran should consider that next run in 2020. The county’s needs you.

Gwinnett is now a blue county, which is an outstanding feat, but this didn’t happen magically and if we want to continue this trend we have several goals ahead of us. To begin, we can now move forward on our agenda regarding mass transit and public education. Both of these issues will require bipartisanship for us to work in the interest of all Gwinnettians. Having a strong blue hold will be an immense advantage in the next two years. It means that there will be a real seat at the table for those looking to represent the interests of Gwinnett residents and citizens long ignored by our local officials. The first step we can take is showing up to the ballots for the runoff election this December 4th. Candidates like John Barrow and Lindy Miller will need all our support to be elected. In 2014, Gwinnett was 43% blue, but we have successfully risen to 54% overall looking at county wide votes in statewide races. These points go a long way, and hopefully with diligent work these next years we can make them even higher. BUT they won’t magically stay that way. We have to work on turnout for the December 4th referendum and then turn around and work on the March transit referendum. If Democrats can stay active, recruit candidates in the 2019 municipal races, and continue the work done by Stacy Abrams and others, we can assure that we are part of making this state Blue in the race for President in 2020 and in races to defend our gains and pick up additional seats here in Gwinnett.

Although my term comes to a close this January, I will still be working alongside candidates to help them in the runoffs. I encourage you all to meet me and my new successor, Sen. Sheikh Rahman. We should celebrate our victories and certainly learn from the losses and close calls, but we can’t stop working to make sure everyone’s vote counts in Gwinnett and everyone’s voice is heard. This runoff is too important to not get involved with it. The gubernatorial race was unfairly impacted by a Secretary of State who had his interests in mind, not the people’s. We need to make sure that in future races, the Secretary of State is someone who wants people to vote, who wants everyone’s voice to be heard. We need to make sure that Republican Brian Kemp’s replacement is Democrat John Barrow. We need to elect Lindy Miller to the Public Service Commission because, unlike Chuck Eaton, she’ll look out for your interests, not those of the energy companies. She will make sure to keep energy prices low, because to her, it’s your bottom line that matters, not the energy companies.

In the age of Trump and Kemp—of voter suppression and clear discrimination—it’s easy to feel like there’s nothing we can do. It’s easy to feel weak and powerless. But we’re not. When we get out and vote, when we show them just how powerful we the people really are, when we make our voice count, we can change anything. Don’t stop pushing: get out and vote on December 4th.

I look forward to staying involved and helping in the runoff and the transit referendum. Make sure that you get involved or stay involved as well. Our future and our children’s future depend on it.